Once Upon a Summer

by Brooke Moss

  “We don’t want to make the ladies uncomfortable,” Jared said.

  My reporter’s instincts kicked in. I was about to say something when Linda kicked my ankle. Ignoring her, I encouraged Randy to ask his questions. “I promise not to write about it and whatever it is, it won’t scare us away.”

  Randy shrugged. Jared took a pull on his iced tea and reluctantly told us about a complaint he was investigating. Turns out a friend of Randy’s vacation home had been broken into and a few things were stolen. Mostly small items, easy to carry. Some liquor as well.

  “So, you think it’s local kids?”

  Jared turned to face me. “What makes you say that?”

  I shrugged. “Local kids would know which houses belong to residents and which ones were vacationers. They’d know when the weekend people are gone. So chances are, it could be days or longer before anyone would notice a break-in.”

  “Do most people with summer cottages come here every weekend?” Linda asked.

  Randy responded. “It depends. Some will spend the entire summer up here. Others will come for a week or two, then be gone for a while and return periodically for a weekend.”

  My curiosity wouldn’t be ignored. “Are you sure it’s only an isolated incident?”

  “What are you getting at?” Jared asked.

  “You’ve got one report. But maybe other places have been hit and the owners are unaware of it. Randy just said a lot of people come and go during the summer.”

  Before Jared could reply, the food arrived. As we ate, Linda smoothly changed the subject, talking about the various boats we’d seen in the marina.

  “Randy’s got a boat. I think it’s one of the reasons he wanted to move out here,” Jared said, pausing to drag a thick French fry through a puddle of ketchup. “He must have dreamed of being Sinbad the Sailor, living onboard his sturdy ship, keeping us safe from marauding pirates. Searching for a mermaid or two.”

  Randy shrugged. “It keeps me out of trouble.”

  “I doubt that very much,” Linda said with a giggle.

  Lunch was a very relaxed meal. The conversation ebbed and flowed over a number of topics, and we never got back to the break-in. As the last of the food was consumed, Jared’s phone chimed. He excused himself from the table and took the call. The waitress returned with the check. Despite our efforts, Randy insisted on paying.

  “Really, it’s my pleasure. We don’t often get to share the company of two such lovely ladies. And I enjoyed hearing about things around Motown.”

  Linda fluttered her fingers at him. “At least, let us return the favor. How about drinks this evening? Maybe around seven?”

  Jared returned to the table. “Sorry about that. Got a call from the school. Somebody’s been messing around with one of the buses.”

  “Vandalism?” I asked.

  He shook his head and laughed. “Minor league stuff. Mischief. Someone pried open a window and snaked a hose inside, then cranked the faucet on. Janitor found it, but not before the water level was knee deep. Got go check it out.” Jared clapped Randy on the shoulder, then waved good-bye.

  “He’s a good guy. Really gone out of his way to make me feel welcome here.” Randy stood. He focused his attention on me. Did I have something in my teeth? I ran my tongue over my mouth. How odd.

  “So, drinks around seven thirty?” she prompted.

  “I know just the place.” From a pocket he pulled out a business card. He scrawled something on the back and passed me the card. “See you then. I’ve got to get back to the office.”

  Linda reached over and snagged the business card. “Really, it’s a wonder you ever get laid, Jamie. That guy was practically drooling over you and you’re oblivious.”

  “Why would he take a second look at me when you’re here?”

  She flicked a crumb from her plate at me. “His eyes were only on you. I’m surprised he was able to eat his lunch.”

  There were a couple of times when I noticed his gaze on me, but thought he was trying to be polite. I said as much. She laughed and pushed away from the table.

  “You’re beautiful, Jamie.”

  “Next to you, I look like a stick figure.”

  She put an arm around my shoulders. “You’re hopeless. Let’s go back to the beach.”

  ***

  It was a leisurely afternoon. We splashed in the lake and swam for a while, then lounged on the towels in the sunshine. I’d probably tripled the number of freckles on my back and shoulders while Linda got a little more bronze. Taking the long way back to Jake’s house, we wandered through a number of quaint little shops. Soon, we were back at the house. Our arms empty of shopping bags. Just couldn’t find anything I needed. Logan was happy to see us, covering our faces with wet kisses. Jake grudgingly accepted a sandy hug, too.

  “Dinner’s in half an hour. It ain’t fancy, but ya won’t go hungry.”

  Linda tried to peer over his shoulder into the kitchen. “What are we having?”

  “Dinner. Go rinse off if ya wanna.”

  We had just enough time for a quick shower. Linda went first while I pulled out some clothes. Jake wisely refused my offers to help in the kitchen. The hot shower tickled my skin. Donning shorts and a tank top, I wandered back outside just as Jake set a platter on the picnic table. Neither Linda nor I knew what to expect.

  “It’s food,” Jake said with a grin. “Grab a plate and dive in.”

  Dinner consisted of three New York strip steaks, medium and grilled to perfection. There was a bowl with grilled asparagus and another one with roasted redskin potatoes. Jake had even made a large garden salad with plenty of fresh veggies. I watched as he tossed some bites of steak to the dog. Linda pretended not to notice.

  I tasted a little of everything. It was delicious. Turning to the old man, I batted my lashes and clasped my hands together. “Marry me!”

  He laughed and took a pull on his beer. “Nah, you’re too young for me. Our kids would end up looking like the dog.”

  “You could always adopt.” Linda waved an asparagus spear at him.

  “She’d probably want me to change. Like that’s gonna happen.”

  We talked about our day on the beach while Jake shared his day’s adventures. Jake and Logan had a relaxing afternoon, with some time at the park along with a stop at the local market. Logan had perfected his fetch routine. Jake napped out in the hammock following several lunchtime beers.

  After the meal, Linda and I did the dishes. Jake headed down the street to play cards with some neighbors. To my surprise, Linda hooked the leash on Logan.

  “We’re taking the dog?”

  She bent down and ruffled his coat. “I’ve barely seen him today. And what better chaperone could you ask for? If Randy doesn’t like dogs, he’s obviously not worthwhile.”

  I couldn’t argue with her logic.

  We walked back to the marina. On the back of his card, Randy had written where his boat was docked. Along the way, we picked up a bottle of wine. The sun was still high in the western sky as we made our way. Linda spotted him. He was wiping down the chrome railings on an older fiberglass speedboat. It was a dark blue, probably about thirty feet long. As we got closer, I could tell it was well cared for.

  “Welcome aboard,” Randy said, sweeping his right arm wide like a game show host. “It ain’t the newest ship in the harbor, but she’s all mine.” He offered me his left hand. I took it and stepped from the dock.

  Logan tugged at the leash and bounded forward. With a laugh, Linda released him and the dog easily jumped to the deck. Randy underwent the canine inspection with a grin, scratching Logan behind the ears with one hand while offering the other to Linda. She took it and gracefully joined us.

  There was a large padded bench across the stern. It was about ten feet from there to the cockpit area, where a padded chair was on either side, one by the controls, the other on the passenger side. In front of the bench was a sturdy chrome table, bolted to the floor. A metal ice bucket sat in the ce
nter, chilling a bottle of white wine. A stack of plastic cups stood beside it.

  Linda settled onto the bench. Logan immediately sprawled at her feet. I moved to a spot alongside her.

  “I don’t have much in the way of drinks. There’s a nice bottle of Chardonnay from a local vineyard. I’ve got a really smooth Cabernet Sauvignon if you prefer red. Or I can chill the Moscato you brought.”

  “This sounds good,” I said, pointing at the Chardonnay. Linda nodded in agreement.

  Randy opened the wine and poured us each a glass. Then he ducked down into the cabin and came back with a large plastic bowl filled with water he set on the deck near Logan. Linda tipped me a wink and a nod. All around us people came and went, walking the pier, boarding different boats or just enjoying the perfect evening. A few boats headed out to the lake. I watched them with a pang of longing.

  “Want to go for a cruise?” Randy asked.

  Linda flashed a winning smile. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Five minutes later, we pulled away from the dock and motored out to Lake Michigan. Linda and the dog remained on the rear bench. I moved up to the cockpit area and watched Randy confidently handle the controls.

  Lake Michigan could be deceiving. From a distance, it might look calm and placid. Up close, there’s usually some kind of wave action. Of course, the wind and the weather had something to do with it. Tonight, there was very little breeze close to shore and even at eight o’clock, the sun was still bright and high in the western sky. As we exited the marina, Randy turned north and eased down the throttle. He aimed us out, about half a mile from the shoreline and kept watch on any approaching vessels.

  I perched on the passenger seat and sat sideways so I could study him. In my peripheral vision, Linda shook her head, her mass of curls streaming behind her. With her arms extended over the back of the seat, she looked like Cleopatra or a royal descendant. I couldn’t see her eyes because of the sunglasses, but she was smiling broadly. She flicked her fingers at me and pointed at Randy. Okay, so maybe I don’t pick up on signals as quickly as she does. Scooting off the seat, I crossed to the captain’s area. The bench here was wide enough for a very fat sailor, or two slender ones.

  Randy glanced over as I stood beside him. His left hand dropped from the wheel and tapped the cushion beside him. I leaned against it.

  “There’s something magical about being out on the lake,” he said. I was surprised he didn’t have to yell to be heard over the noise from the boat. But with the engine far behind us, we could have a normal conversation.

  “Are you out here often?”

  “Every chance I get. But the weekends are too crazy. I prefer the weeknights. Or early in the morning, before I go to work.”

  “Did you have a boat when you were in Milford?”

  Randy chuckled and shook his head. “No, I wasn’t as close to a big lake. And there was rarely enough time to drive out to Lake St. Clair. That’s part of the charm of being in South Haven. The lake is my backyard.”

  Turned out Randy was living aboard the boat during the summer. He’d bought it in April. After staying in a motel for a few months, he’d moved aboard with the necessities. Down below was a bunk, a small galley and bathroom, with enough storage to meet his needs.

  “But what will you do when winter comes?”

  He smiled. “Middle or late October, I’ll have the boat put into dry-dock. I’ve already made arrangements. And last month, I met a nice retired couple who have a small house about a mile from the lake. They’re snowbirds. Around the same time, they’ll head south, visiting friends and family in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and New Mexico. While they’re gone, I’m going to rent their place. They don’t come back until the middle of May. By then, I’ll be back on the boat.”

  “What a great plan.”

  Randy glanced over his shoulder to check on Linda. “She and Logan look pretty comfortable back there.”

  I looked back and waved. Linda wiggled her fingers at me. By now, I’d slid up onto the seat beside Randy, close enough so our thighs brushed. Turning back around, I caught him staring at me. Neither of us wore sunglasses.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be watching for other boats?”

  “I can multitask. But no other sailor would blame me for being distracted by such a beautiful woman.”

  My face warmed. I was about to make a smart-ass comment when he leaned over and kissed me, lightly on the lips. Now, my whole body was blushing.

  Randy straightened up and quickly checked the water around us. “Hope I didn’t upset you. I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  He dropped his left hand from the wheel again and took mine. “Actually, that’s not completely true.”

  “A partial truth?”

  “I thought about kissing you at lunch today, but didn’t want to scare you off.”

  Reaching up with my free hand I ran it through his thick blond hair. I stalled, not sure what to say. He watched me closely, shifting his gaze to the water briefly, then coming back to focus on me. “So is this your routine, how you pick up women on vacation?”

  “Never done it before. I’m not the Casanova type.”

  “So you’re just drawn to scrawny redheads?”

  His hand squeezed mine. “You are not scrawny. You’re slender. I’ve always been attracted to slender women.”

  His words charmed me. “I’m invisible when Linda’s in the vicinity.”

  That earned me another kiss. This one lasted for about an hour. Well, maybe it was a minute or two. My hand tangled in his hair, keeping him close.

  “Glad I’m different from most guys,” he said quietly as we separated. His hands returning to the wheel.

  Part of me was still locked on his kiss. Was this really happening? I looked back at Linda. She flashed a wide grin and made a show of slowly clapping her hands together. I wondered if she knew how to drive a boat so I could drag Randy to the cabin below deck. With an effort, I reined in such thoughts.

  “So I’m supposed to believe you don’t find young women out looking for fun on their vacation and charm them with that smile?”

  “You like my smile? I always thought it was kind of lopsided.”

  I took his face in both hands and turned it toward me. “Maybe a little crooked. But that’s part of the appeal.” Now I initiated a kiss. His hands slid through my hair, then softly ran his fingers down my neck. Shivers of excitement coursed through me. A horn sounded nearby. He broke the kiss and turned to check the water. Another boat passed in the opposite direction. A man and woman were at the helm, mirroring our positions, caught in the moment and sensuality of being on the water. I bit down on my bottom lip in frustration. I longed for more than kisses but safety came first.

  “We don’t want to run into some sailboat out here,” Randy said with a grin.

  I scooted back onto the bench. Maybe a little distance was in order? It might help my racing hormones. “How fast are we going?”

  “About thirty. Want to go faster?”

  Was he talking about the boat, or the two of us? Randy shifted. His right hand had dropped to the controls, his left lightly holding the steering wheel. He watched me, his lopsided grin worked its magic. “Shall we give Linda a thrill?”

  “I think she’s already getting one.”

  Randy jammed the throttle most of the way down and the boat jumped forward as if launched from a rocket. Linda squealed in delight. I watched the bow come up and bounce a couple of times as the boat adjusted. Even with the additional blast of cool lake air, I still tingled from those kisses.

  With the sun beginning to set, Randy steered us into a wide U-turn and headed back toward the marina. Reluctantly, I pushed off the bench and moved back to Linda. Dropping on the seat beside her, I could almost see my reflection in her dazzling smile.

  “Thought you said the dog was going to be my chaperone.”

  She gave me a rolling laugh. “Poor baby had to cover
his eyes. He’s not used to seeing his aunt get frisky.”

  “Was I really making out with him, or did I just imagine that?”

  “Jamie, you certainly seemed to be enjoying the attention. Why do you find it so hard to believe that a nice looking man would be attracted to you?”

  I shrugged. “I’m not blessed with your face and figure, so it’s not like guys are fighting over me.”

  “You are a beautiful woman. Randy certainly seems to think so. Should I take Logan home and leave you two alone?”

  We were entering the canal for the marina now. The boat was moving slowly. It made me think of cars exiting the freeway and blending in with traffic on residential streets.

  “I’m not ready for anything else tonight.”

  She smiled and hugged me. “Smart and beautiful. No wonder I love you.”

  I helped Randy with the lines when we got back to the dock. He walked us through the marina to the main road.

  “Thank you for the wine and the ride on the lake,” Linda said sweetly. She leaned over and brushed her cheek against his.

  “It was my pleasure. Come back any time.” He dropped to a knee and rubbed Logan’s head. “And that goes for you, too.”

  Linda led the dog to a patch of grass where he did his business. Somehow Randy had taken my hand when I wasn’t looking. “Thanks for a wonderful evening,” I said softly.

  “Doesn’t have to end yet.”

  I put my free hand on his chest. Through his T-shirt I could feel the steady thump of his heart. Was it my imagination, or was it beating fast? “I’m not one to rush things.”

  “Understood. But I’d really like to see you again.”

  “Tomorrow night?”

  He drew me close. “Dinner. Six o’clock on the boat.”

  I darted in for a good night kiss. It must have lasted longer than expected because Linda was clearing her throat behind me. People walked around us. There were more than a few smiles in our direction when I found the strength to step back. “Dinner sounds great.”

  “Good night, Jamie.”

  “Night.”

  ***

  Slowly, we strolled home in the twilight. Logan checked the area, marking his turf as we crossed through the neighborhoods. I tried not to think about Randy. Images of taking him down to the berth below deck and jumping his bones flashed through my mind. Granted, it had been a while since any guy had shown interest in me. But this was moving way too fast. I realized Linda was talking but had no idea what she’d said. Her last comment jolted me back to the present.